Uhmakkuushäiriö

Uhmakkuushäiriö, often referred to as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in English-speaking contexts, is a behavioral disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures. This pattern is typically evident by the time a child reaches adolescence. The disorder is defined by the presence of specific symptoms that occur frequently and persist for at least six months.

The symptoms of uhmakkuushäiriö are generally categorized into three main groups: emotional, argumentative/defiant, and vindictiveness. Emotional symptoms include often losing one's temper, being easily annoyed or angered, and being frequently angry or resentful. Argumentative/defiant behaviors involve arguing with authority figures, actively refusing to comply with requests or rules, deliberately annoying others, and blaming others for one's own mistakes or misbehavior. Vindictiveness is characterized by being spiteful or vindictive at least twice within the past six months.

For a diagnosis of uhmakkuushäiriö to be made, these behaviors must be more frequent than what is typically observed in individuals of a similar developmental level. Furthermore, the behaviors must cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. It's important to distinguish uhmakkuushäiriö from normal childhood defiance, which is a common developmental stage. The persistent and pervasive nature of the defiant behavior, along with its negative impact on functioning, are key diagnostic features. Uhmakkuushäiriö is often comorbid with other mental health conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder. Treatment typically involves a combination of behavioral therapies and parent management training.